Question

This may be a long post. I apologize if it is. I am 38. I have a almost 11 year old daughter. I am in a committed relationship with my boyfriend. He doesn’t budget but I so. I started budgeting using the bbp method in late December. I have been able to save money every month but not a lot. I work a part time job as a housekeeper with 22. 5 hours a week. I make 16. 50 an hour on weekdays and 17. 50 an hour on weekends. I should be getting a . 50 raise next month after my 6 month probation is done. I can only afford to pay 2 of my debts per month. I haven’t paid my student loans in a few years but I’ve always applied for repayment assistance so I don’t get in trouble with them. I don’t have any skills that I could use to have a side hustle. I’m so frustrated with myself as I can’t pay my debts down. I’m thinking I need to go back to school which I didn’t want to do. I’ve went to school so many times and never finished or I finished and couldn’t find a job in my field. Any suggestions?  

Answer 1

Hmm. If you’ve gone to school and didn’t find meaningful work and still owe on student loans I think I’d encourage you to think about a trade. Do you like pets? Rover. com might be an way for extra $

Comments

@orvalorvan thanks. I love animals. I’ll look into that

Answer 2

What about cleaning houses as a side hustle?  

Comments

@delamare I never though of that. Thanks

Answer 3

Find side hustles cleaning houses! Start with friends and family and they’ll help you spread the word.  

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@kennie1 I never thought of that. Thanks

Answer 4

Maybe put yourself as a housekeeper on Angies list or Care. com and do that as a side hustle

Comments

@delamare Taillon I never thought of that. Thanks

Answer 5

If you've tried school before and it wasn't a good fit, instead of forcing yourself to try it again and incurring more debt/expenses, do consider increasing work hours or doing similar type of work as a self-employed housekeeper. It sounds like you're organized and could help busy professionals stay on top of their household by not just cleaning but also tidying, organizing, decluttering. This will be a boon for many tired, stressed folks! Be sure to advertise on FB or Craigslist or some other good forums by emphasizing the value additions you offer. It's sure to bring you a client or two, which will hopefully lead to more referrals. You'll need someone to vouch for you initially, then your clients can act as your recommendation later. I'd start by offering services in the neighborhood for the hours you're free and then branching out.  

Comments

@sacral3 I never thought of that. Thanks

Answer 6

Date night babysitting in your home. Through neighborhood groups or Care. com

Comments

@orvalorvan Ehrlichmann I never thought of that. Thanks

Answer 7

Uber/Lyft or any of the delivery (instacart/shipt/amazon) services you could do as a side hustle

Comments

@mambo I’ve signed up for instacart. I’m just waiting for my card to come

Answer 8

If you’re physically able donate plasma! You’ll earn extra cash and help those who are immunocompromised! At the local plasma place here if you donated twice a week every week in February you made $380.  

Comments

@frolic I’ve never thought of this. Where would I find information on this?  

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@kepler1 just google plasma donation centers in your area. The one here is Talecris. It’s a bit more intense than blood donation and it’s not for everyone, but if you can do it it will help you financially

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It takes about 3-4 hrs the first time though

Answer 9

Omg do your own cleaning biz! I pay mine $150 for like 4 hours of work! It’s not hourly- but they charge by the job! They do 2 houses/day! My 3 cents  

Comments

@sixty wow! I’ve never thought of this. I’ll definitely have some research to do. Thanks

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@kepler1 yeah! Don’t settle for what other people say you’re worth!  

Answer 10

Can you in your hours at work? 22. 5 hours isnt very many

Comments

@novotny my workplace will only give me 22. 5 hours a week. They won’t increase it. The only way they can increase it is if someone quits

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@kepler1 that stinks! I only get 60 hrs every 2 weeks with occasional 72. Sucks.  

Answer 11

Do you feel the division of household expenses are reasonable?  

Comments

@lean my boyfriend pays the mortgage and I pay the utilities and buy the groceries. I think it’s pretty evenly split.